Nigeria’s real estate, widely regarded as the most profitable real estate destination in Africa, is frequently touted as “male-dominated.”
However, today, Female investors are no longer a rarity in Nigeria’s property market; they are fast becoming an accelerating force.
Despite the persistently low home-ownership rates for women compared to those of men, more Nigerian women are investing, developing, and professionalising real estate activity, helping shift demand, design priorities, and capital flows across cities in Nigeria and internationally.
In this blog post, we will throw the spotlight on these real estate amazons in recognition of their efforts toward the growth and development of Nigeria’s property market.
Why this matters
Nigeria’s real estate sector has shown resilience amid macro pressure, and investors are looking for durable assets that hedge inflation and currency risk.
At the same time, Nigerian women, driven by rising incomes, fintech access, and community investing, are beginning to claim more of that opportunity, changing not only who buys property but how properties are financed, marketed, and used.
As more women invest, the market benefits: demand diversifies, products improve for family-oriented buyers, and new capital sources (women’s investment groups, female-led funds) emerge. Closing the gender gap isn’t just equitable, it unlocks new pools of capital and consumer demand for the sector.
Market reports show the real estate sector’s resilience and opportunity in urban hubs, making women’s incoming capital an important part of future growth.
Top Women Shaping the Nigerian Property Market.
An award-winning real estate consultant, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Imelda Usoro-Olaoye is one of the women redefining Nigeria’s property market. With a sharp mix of business acumen and digital innovation, she is helping thousands of Nigerians access affordable housing. Imelda’s journey blends international education with bold entrepreneurship.
After earning her MBA from Edinburgh Business School (Heriot-Watt University) and further honing skills in digital marketing, PR, and business management, she returned to Nigeria determined to solve one of the country’s most pressing issues: the housing gap.
Based on this vision in 2020, she founded Thinkmint Nigeria, an award-winning real estate firm with offices in Lagos and Estonia.
Under Imelda’s leadership, Thinkmint Nigeria adopted a low-entry fee and flexible payment plans that have made affordable housing accessible to many Nigerians. Thinkmint Nigeria has also partnered with housing funds like the Family Homes Fund.
In 2021, Imelda launched REDA (Real Estate Discussions and Awards), which has since grown into one of Nigeria’s most prestigious annual real estate gatherings.
Imelda Usoro-Olaoye is also the co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Green Mortgage, Nigeria’s first fully online mortgage platform, which is set to revolutionise Nigerians’ home financing.
For her outstanding contribution to the real estate and overall business, Imelda has been honoured with numerous awards, notably with the T.I.M.E. Special Recognition Award (2024), Time Magazine 40 under 40.
Beyond Real estate, Imelda Usoro Olaoye is actively involved in philanthropy; her NGO Business Women Hub is an organisation committed to empowering women in business.
2. Udo Okonjo
Udo Okonjo is a force to reckon with in Nigeria’s luxury property space. She is the founder and CEO of Fine and Country West Africa, a brand synonymous with prestige, excellence, and trust in high-end real estate marketing and consulting.
For over a decade, she has carved a niche in the industry, connecting discerning buyers with premium properties in some of Lagos’s most exclusive neighborhoods, such as Ikoyi, Banana Island, Victoria Garden City, Lekki, and Oniru.
Her firm specializes in advisory services, luxury residential sales and leasing, and strategic marketing for prestige acquisitions, positioning Fine and Country as the go-to for luxury real estate in West Africa.
Before her foray into real estate, Udo trained as a lawyer. She earned her LLB from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, followed by an LLM from King’s College, London. Her global outlook is further sharpened by executive certifications from world-class institutions, including Cambridge Judge Business School, Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley), and the Said Business School (University of Oxford).
Known for her dynamism and visionary approach, Udo has become one of the most recognizable names in Nigeria’s property market, championing professionalism, transparency, and innovation.
3. Saadiya Aminu, Managing Director & CEO, Urban Shelter Limited
Saadiya Aminu is the driving force behind Urban Shelter, a real estate heavyweight that spans Abuja, Lagos, Niger, and Kaduna. With over 15 years of leadership experience, she leads with vision, resilience, and a passion for making quality homes accessible to Nigerians across all income levels.
Saadiya’s story begins in public service, as a technical assistant at Nigeria’s Debt Management Office, where she helped shape policy and developed a strong foundation in finance and governance. Armed with a Bachelor of Economics from Brunel University and an MSc in Finance & Development from SOAS, London, she brought sharp analytical skills into a sector more often steered by engineering and architecture backgrounds.
At Urban Shelter, Saadiya climbed the ranks: from Senior Manager in the Chairman’s Office to Chief Operating Officer, then becoming MD/CEO. Along the way, in 2015, she led a change-management drive that repositioned the company, strengthening systems, sharpening strategy, boosting people leadership, and raising standards.
4. Olajumoke Akinwunmi, Architect, Investor & Development Visionary
Olajumoke Akinwunmi is an accomplished architect, development manager, and investment adviser with over 25 years of experience spanning design, real estate, finance, and public service. She is the co-founder of Alitheia Capital, a powerhouse investment and advisory firm that channels capital into high-impact sectors. Under her co-leadership, the firm has promoted financial inclusion through a financial services fund, driven environmental sustainability with a clean energy fund, and currently manages a gender-focused SME fund that fuels growth for women-owned and women-led businesses.
Olajumoke Akinwunmi also served as the Managing Director, Family Homes Fund, a ₦500 billion federal government housing programme created to stimulate economic activity through large-scale housing delivery. Olajumoke Akinwunmi consistently demonstrates a vision that blends design, finance, governance, and sustainability. She exemplifies how women leaders are not just participating in Nigeria’s property sector but reshaping it for long-term impact.
5. Olajumoke Adenowo, Principal Architect & Founder, AD Consulting
Olajumoke Adenowo is often described as Nigeria’s “starchitect”, a celebrated architect, intellectual, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose influence spans far beyond design. As the Principal Architect at AD Consulting, the firm she founded in 1994, she has spearheaded some of the country’s most iconic projects for leading global and local brands.
Olajumoke’s journey into architecture began with brilliance at a young age. She enrolled at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) at just 14, and by 19 had earned her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, followed by a Master’s degree with distinction at 23
She cut her professional teeth at Towry Coker Associates and later at Femi Majekodunmi Associates, where she contributed to landmark projects including the Federal Ministry of Lands in Abuja. But her ambitions soon pushed her toward entrepreneurship, and in 1994, she founded AD Consulting, today one of Nigeria’s most respected architecture and interior design firms.
Over the past three decades, Olajumoke has overseen more than 100 completed projects, ranging from institutional buildings and office complexes to healthcare facilities and luxury residences. Her client list reads like a who’s who of international and Nigerian powerhouses, including Coca-Cola, L’Oréal, GTBank, Access Bank, and The Nigerian Stock Exchange. In 2019, Forbes Woman Africa named her one of the continent’s most powerful women in business
6. Jamila Mohammed-Faniyi — Managing Director, M & E Kaiser | Executive Director, Construction Kaiser
Jamila Mohammed-Faniyi is a powerhouse in Nigeria’s construction and services sectors. With two decades of on-the-ground experience, she leads M & E Kaiser (specializing in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire-safety installations) and plays a key leadership role at Construction Kaiser, carrying forward a legacy of quality, innovation, and local expertise.
Background
Jamila’s journey began with a solid academic grounding: a Bachelor of Science in Building from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She then sharpened her skills with a Master’s in Construction Management from the University of Lagos. Always curious, always growing, she also attended Harvard Business School’s Building Businesses in Turbulent Times (BBTT) program, among other local and international training.
She joined the Kaiser group in 2005, stepping into roles of increasing responsibility: from Planning Engineer, to Project Manager, then Operations Manager. Today, she is both Managing Director of M & E Kaiser Limited and Executive Director at Construction Kaiser Ltd.
Jamila is known as a change leader and BIM (Building Information Modeling) enthusiast, pushing for digitization and modern processes in an industry often slow to adapt.
She cares deeply about people — not just projects. Early in her career, she managed a small team of two; today, she leads a division with dozens, fostering mentorship, local talent development, and team growth. She has spoken publicly about the importance of ethical operations, quality, and not cutting corners on standards.
Jamila is also active on industry fronts: she sits on professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) and the Project Management Institute (PMI). From speaking engagements to being part of juries (for example, the BIM Africa Innovation Awards), she uses her voice to push the built environment forward.
7. Tope Mark-Odigie, CEO, REB360 | Media Personality | Women in Real Estate Advocate
Tope Mark-Odigie wears many hats: entrepreneur, TV host, real estate developer, and mentor to women in business. As the CEO of REB360 Limited, she helps people build wealth and achieve financial freedom through property investment. Beyond real estate, she is known to millions as a co-host of TVC’s award-winning breakfast show Your View, where she champions nation-building and women’s empowerment.
Tope’s entrepreneurial journey began early at the age of 21 when she founded Ewabela Beauty, laying the foundation for a life defined by leadership and enterprise. Over the years, she expanded her influence into media and later real estate, combining her passion for people with her drive for financial empowerment.
- Founded REB360 Limited in 2019, a Lagos-based real estate company dedicated to guiding Nigerians toward financial freedom through property ownership.
- Established Women in Real Estate (WIRE) Africa, a platform that empowers women to thrive as investors and leaders in the property space.
- Grew her personal brand as a media influencer, thought leader, and mentor, inspiring young entrepreneurs across Africa. .8. Kemi Olomola-Sijuwade, Founder, Greenland Concepts Nigeria & MD/CEO, Nigeria Police Force Property Development Company.
At the intersection of law and real estate, Kemi Olomola-Sijuwade, also known as “KoS,” commands attention as a trailblazer. With over two decades of experience, she’s mastered the art of transforming legal acumen into impactful real estate ventures across Nigeria and beyond.
Kemi’s journey began with a solid foundation: a National Diploma in Estate Management, followed by an LL.B from the University of Wolverhampton and a Barrister-at-Law (BL) qualification from the Nigerian Law School. She then added strategic prowess to her skill set with an MBA from Lagos Business School and a certificate in Managerial Decisions Across Cultures from IESE Business School, Spain
In 2018, she further elevated her leadership credentials by becoming a distinguished Member of the National Institute (mni)
At nearly every step, Kemi leveraged her dual expertise to redefine norms, first as a property manager at established firms like Jide Taiwo & Co., Fidelity Bond, and IGI, and then as the principal partner of her legal practice, KOS Legal Services
She founded Greenland Concepts Nigeria Limited (GCNL), a real estate development, facility management, and consultancy firm dedicated to sustainable, inclusive urban design. Under her leadership, GCNL has expanded its operations across Abuja, Lagos, and even Canada, reflecting Kemi’s global vision.
Her ventures include groundbreaking housing initiatives like the Oakville Homes development in Nasarawa.
9. Grace Ofure Ibhakhomu, CEO, Lifecard International
From selling second-hand clothes to leading a multinational real estate brand, Grace Ofure’s story embodies resilience and vision.
Grace Ofure Ibhakhomu, also known as Grace Ofure, is a Nigerian economist, businesswoman, real estate expert, and philanthropist. She is the CEO of Lifecard International Investment Limited, proprietor and founder of Lifecard University, an online school, and the Grace Ofure Foundation, a charity organisation.
Starting with little capital, she leveraged group savings and reinvested profits to enter real estate. Today, she runs Lifecard International Investment Ltd., a property company with a presence in Nigeria, Dubai, and beyond. She also founded Lifecard University, an online University training thousands of new investors.
Grace is passionate about making property ownership possible for middle-class Nigerians through innovative financing models.
In December 2020, Ofure created the “Nigerian for Nigeria Initiative Awards” as the managing director of Lifecard International Investment and established the Grace Ofure Foundation.
The foundation supports and empowers women, children, and youth in society.
What Women in Real Estate are doing differently: three shifts to watch
1. Pooling capital, reducing entry barriers
Women are increasingly using group savings, cooperatives, and fintech platforms to co-invest in land and rental units. These pooled approaches reduce entry cost, spread risk, and help women bypass traditional single-owner financing that often excludes them. Articles profiling Nigerian female investors show how collective strategies (and fintech savings tools) are unlocking first-time property purchases.
2. Moving beyond ownership to development and management
More women are not just buying; they’re developing mixed-use projects, managing short-let units, and launching small property management firms. That shift—from passive buyer to active developer/manager—creates recurring income streams and professionalises women’s roles in the sector. Profiles of female leaders and local initiatives highlight this trend.
3. Shaping demand and product design
Female investors often prioritise different amenities: security, reliable water/electricity solutions, childcare-friendly layouts, and safe communal spaces. As more women invest, developers and agents are adapting product features and sales messaging to match new buyer priorities, subtly reshaping supply across city neighbourhoods. (Industry reporting on market demand in Lagos and other hubs supports evolving buyer.
Conclusion
Women in Nigeria are transforming real estate not by accident but by design: pooling resources, innovating financing, and insisting on safer, more family-friendly housing.
The gains will be individual and collective, that is, wealth-building for women and a more resilient, diverse property market for Nigeria.
With policy tweaks, better fintech integration, and continued peer-led education, the next decade could see women close a meaningful share of the ownership gap and, in doing so, reshape cities across the country.